Seychelles

Île Coco, Seychelles
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Jmhullot


Seychelles is an island nation in the Indian Ocean. It is located to the southeast of Somalia and to the southwest of India. The country covers only 451 sq km (174 sq mi) and has a population of 84,000 (2011 estimate). The capital and only city is Victoria. Its official language are French, English and Seychellois Creole.

The Seychelles is a republic. It is four hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC+4). Traffic is driven on the left here, just as in United Kingdom. The official currency here is the Seychellois rupee. The phone IDD code is +248.

Major Towns in Seychelles

Islands of Seychelles

World Heritage Sites in Seychelles

La Digue
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Svein-Magne Tunli


Geographically, Seychelles comprises 42 granite islands of varying sizes and numerous coral islands. The biggest are Mahé, Praslin, Silhoutte Island and La Digue. The country enjoys a tropical climate with temperatures ranging from 24°C (75.2°F) to 30°C (86°F), with the coolest months being July and August.

The economy of Seychelles, traditionally dominated by agricultural commodities such as cinnamon, vanilla and copra, has shifted to tourism in the past few decades. The tourism sector today employs 30% of the population, giving it one of the highest per capita GDP in the region. In 2010, Seychelles had an estimated nominal GDP of $919 million, equivalent to a per capita nominal GDP of $10,714. Its per capita GDP at purchasing power parity was $24,837.

On the street of Victoria, in Mahé, Seychelles
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Hansueli Krapf


Seychelles was historically settled by ancient seafarers from Arabia and Austronesia. The first Europeans to arrive here were the Portuguese in 1502, under the command of Vasco da Gama.

The French took possession of the Seychelles in 1756 when Captain Nicholas Morphey laid the Stone of Possession. He named the islands after Jean Moreau de Séchelles, the Minister of Finance under King Louis XV. The Seychelles came under British rule following the Treaty of Paris in 1814. It became independent in 1976. From 1979 until 1991, it was a socialist one-party state. The country received a new constitution in 1993. Today it is headed by a president to serves as both head of state and head of government.

Anse Lazio beach on Praslin Island
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Svein-Magne Tunli

Planning your trip to Seychelles

All visitors to Seychelles do not need a visa as long as you have a least six months validity to your passport. The only international gateway is the Seychelles International Airport (SEZ) which receives flights from London, Paris, Johannesburg and Singapore, among others.

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